Cupula charging apparatus

ABSTRACT

A cupula charging apparatus having a hopper mounted beside the stack of the cupula and adapted to receive a measured charge of metal, limestone and coke and to deliver the charge at the proper time through a side opening in the stack. A door hingedly mounted in the opening at the discharge chute of the hopper is movable between vertical and inclined positions to open and close the opening and to control delivery and the pattern of flow of a charge from the hopper in the cupula. A novel skip car delivers a measured charge of materials to the hopper and novel means is provided for dumping a load from the car into the hopper.

Q United States Patent 1 1 3,576,319

[72] Inventor Michael Michaels [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3 2 1,531,364 3/1925 Whiting 266/27 lf gf 1,772,884 8/1930 Beetham 266/27 Assignee Standard Alliancelndustrieslnc. 3,003,650 10/1961 Longenecker 214/ Chi ago, Ill, Primary Examiner-James M Meister [54] CUPULA CHARGING APPARATUS 18 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 266/27,

[51] Int. Cl F27d 3/10 Field of Search 266/27; 214/35; /116 Attorney-Hamess, Dickey & Pierce ABSTRACT: A cupula charging apparatus having a hopper mounted beside the stack of the cupula and adapted to receive a measured charge of metal, limestone and coke and to deliver the charge at the proper time through a side opening in the stack. A door hingedly mounted in the opening at the discharge chute of the hopper is movable between vertical and inclined positions to open and close the opening and to control delivery and the pattern of flow of a charge from the hopper in the cupula. A novel skip car delivers a measured charge of materials to the hopper and novel means is provided for dumping a load from the car into the hopper.

CUPULA CHARGING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore, materials for charging the cupula have been accumulated on the floor of a room beside the opening in the cupula stack, and workmen have periodically delivered measured amounts of these materials to the opening by various means. This conventional arrangement and procedure has the disadvantage that the unobstructed opening in the stack adversely effects the thermal flow of smoke and gases from the cupula and results in a side draft which draws dust and debris from the storage floor and charging room into the stack which causes excessive smoking and pollution of air in the vicinity of the cupula.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The apparatus of this invention overcomes the problems referred to above by maintaining the main supply of cupula charging materials at a point remote from the cupula and delivering measured amounts of these materials to a hopper mounted alongside the charging opening in the cupula stack. The hinged door nonnally closes the charging opening and retains the charge of materials in the hopper until it is needed, and it also contains and confines the thermal flow of smoke and gases in the cupula stack. The innerside of the door is heavily heat insulated so that the charge in the hopper is retained in a relatively cool and clean atmosphere until the proper time for dumping, and the heat insulating layer also protects the door operating apparatus and associated equipment as well as the door itself and the charge in the hopper from excessive heat. When the door swings to the inclined position to unblock the opening and release the charge from the hopper, it also forms an extension of the hopper chute into the cupula so that the charge of material is properly delivered into the latter, and the leading edge of the door is contoured to establish a desired pattern of flow for the charge into the eupula and to assure proper distribution of the charge within the cupula. The novel skip car construction assures that the charge of materials cannot be unloaded from the car except when it is properly positioned over the hopper. Automatic release of the load from the skip car into the hopper is obtained by means which assures a smooth even flow of the charge into the hopper.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a cupula and a cupula charging apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the same;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view looking in the direction of the arrow 3 in FIG. 2 and showing parts in elevation and parts in section for clearness of illustration;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, transverse sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 2; ballon FIG. 7is a view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 3 andshowing parts broken away for clearness of illustration;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 6; I

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 6 and showing the door of the cupula in closed position; and

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 but showing the cupula door inopen position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference is first had to FIG. 1 which shows a typical cupula charging apparatus of this invention. More particularly, a skip car 10 travels on tracks 12 and 14 (FIG. 2) between a materials storage area 16 and a cupula shown fragmentarily at 18. The materials storage area 16 comprises a weigh tipple 20 for scrap metal, a limestone hopper 22 and a coke hopper 24. Means (not shown) are provided for dispensing (preferably automatically) measured amounts of metal, limestone and coke as required for charging the cupula 18 into the skip car 10 when the latter is at one end of the tracks 12 and 14. All three of the materials storage structures 20, 22, 24 as well as the cupula 18 are disposed at ground level.

A typical cupula is a tall, hollow, cylindrical, upright structure approximately 9 feet in diameter. Metal, limestone and coke are charged to the cupula through an opening 25 which may be 60 or feet above the ground. The portion of the eupula below the charging opening 25 nonnally is kept more or less filled with the charging materials and the lower mass of these materials is tired to melt down or reduce the metal which is withdrawn intermittently. As-the charge of materials in the cupula settles due to withdrawal of metal and slag from the lower portion of the cupula, it is replenished by successive charges from the skip car 10 which keeps moving back and forth between the storage area 16 and the cupula 18. The portion of the cupula 18 above the charging opening 25 comprises a stack through which smoke and exhaust gases from the combustion chamber below are discharged to the atmosphere.

The tracks 12 and 14 are supported on a suitable framework 26 of structural forms which are bolted, riveted or welded together according to conventional practice. As shown in the drawing, the framework 26 has a ramp portion 28 which extends from the charging area 16 to a level slightly above the charging opening 25. At the top of the ramp 28, the tracks 12 and 14 extend horizontally as at 30 to a hopper 32 which is supported on the structure 26 alongside the cupula 18, directly in front of the opening 25 and immediately below the horizontal track portions 30.

In a typical operation, the skip car 10 loaded with measured amounts of metal, limestone and coke at the charging area 16 is moved in any suitable or conventional manner as by a cable drive or the like up the ramp 28 and along the horizontal track portion 30 to a position directly above the hopper 32 where the load in the car is dumped into the hopper. While the skip car 10is moving between the storage area and the hopper 32, the next charge of scrap metal, limestone and coke is automatically weighed and made ready for delivery. After the car 10 dumps its load into the hopper 32 it returns automatically to the storage area 16 preparatory to receiving the next load which has been made ready for it. The hopper 32 retains the charge received from the skip car 10 for a few minutes until the skip car starts its return journey and it then automatically dumps the charge into the cupula through the side opening 25. Due to special features contributed by this invention, the charge falls by gravity into the cupula with a spread pattern and minimal contamination.

Skip cars used heretofore for delivery of materials either to the charging room or directly to the cupula 18 have for the most part been a tipping type. The car employed as a part of the present equipment, on the other hand, is a special bottom dump car.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the skip car 10 has a body 34 preferably of sheet metal and of heavy construction. More particularly, the body 34 has spaced parallel sidewalls 36 and 38 and front and rear walls 40 and 42 which incline downwardly and inwardly to facilitate dumping a load from the body through the open bottom 44. Since the body 34 carries exceedingly heavy loads and is subject to considerable rough treatment and abuse in use, it preferably is adequately strengthened and reinforced. In the particular body construction here shown, the side, front and rear walls 36, 38, 40 and 42 are reinforced by a midline belt of channel members 46 which are welded or otherwise rigidly attached to the body.

Also, the rear wall 42 which carries a major portion of the load when the car 10 is traversing the ramp 28 is further reinforced by a plurality of spaced upright channel members 48.

Surrounding the lower portion of the car substantially below the belt line reinforcing channel members 46 is a strong, heavy, rectangular frame 50 suitably fabricated from channel members 52 which are welded or otherwise rigidly interconnected to each other and to the body 34. As perhaps best shown in FIG. 3, the frame 50 preferably extends forwardly of the front wall 40 and the portion of the front wall between the bottom opening 44 and the front belt channel 46 is strengthened and reinforced by gussets 54 which are welded to the car front 40, the front belt channel 46 and the front frame member 52. A pair of flanged wheels 56 are mounted for rotation on a front axle 58 which is carried by and extends transversely through the frame 50 ahead of the front wall 42. Similarly, the frame 50 extends rearwardly of the rear wall 42, and a pair of flanged wheels 60 are journaled for rotation on a rear axle 62 which is carried by and extends transversely through the frame 50 behind the wall 42. As shown in FIG. 4, the four wheels 56 and 60 are spaced substantially outwardly from the sidewalls 36 and 38 for proper engagement with the rails 12 and I4, and the portion of the car body below the axles 58 and 62 extend downwardly between the rails.

The opening 44 of the body 34 is closed by a generally rectangular bottom 64 which 12 which actuates a brake (not shown) for spindle l. hinged, as at 66, at one edge to the rear wall 42. The bottom 64 also preferably is of structural steel and is heavily reinforced by a plurality of laterally spaced reinforcing ribs 68 here shown in the form of railroad rails. The

' ribs 68 are here shown extending from front to rear of the bottom 64. These reinforcing ribs 68 are welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the bottom 64 and they hold the latter rigid and flat so that it snugly fits and effectively closes all sides of the bottom opening 44. A pair of laterally spaced latches 70 pivotally attached to mounting brackets 72 on the front wall 40 normally engage the swinging front edge 74 of the bottom 64 to hold the latter closed, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

As suggested, the skip car 10 travels back and forth on the tracks 12 and 14 between the materials storage area 16 and the hopper 32. Any suitable or conventional means may be employed to power the car 10 in its movement between these two points, but the particular means used here is a cable drive which is conventional in its construction and operation and need not be described in detail. Suffice it to say that one end of a cable 76 is attached to a bracket 78 on and depending from the front end of the car 10 and the other end of the cable is attached to a bracket 80 on and depending from the rear of the car. The intermediate portion of the cable 76 passes over and is supported by idler pulleys (not shown) which are spaced at intervals along the trackway and a portion of the cable is wrapped around a motor driven drum (not shown). When the drum is rotatably driven in one direction, the skip car 10 is moved under power from the materials storage area 16 to the hopper 32; and, when the drum is rotatably driven in the opposite direction, the skip car is moved under power in the reverse direction from the hopper 32 to the materials storage area 16. Hold down rails 82 and 84 above, parallel to, and spaced from tracks 12 and 14 respectively by a distance slightly greater than the diameter of the wheels 58 and 60, overlay the tracks and prevent the skip car from tipping as it traverses the tracks and particularly during movement of the car up and down the ramp 28. Any suitable or conventional means such as limit switches (not shown) in the control circuit of the motor which drives the cable drum can be provided at the ends of the tracks 12 and 14 to stop the skip car 10 properly in the materials storage area 16 and over the hopper 32. However, the above notwithstanding, an abutment 86 is provided at the upper end of the tracks 12 and 14 to stop the skip car 10 in the event it should override the limit switch or other control means at that end of the trackway; and an abutment 88 is similarly provided at the lower end of the tracks as a stop for the skip car in the event it should override the control means at that end of the trackway.

Manifestly, it is necessary to release the latches 70 from the bottom 64 as the skip car 10 moves to a position above the hopper 32 in order to dump a load from the car into the hopper. This is accomplished according to the present invention by a pair of pivoted kickers 90 on the bottom 64, each in line with a respective one of the'latehes 70, and a pair of pivoted stops 92 mounted between the tracks 12 and 14 for operation by a power cylinder 94.

More particularly, each of the kickers 90 comprises a pair of supporting arms 96 at opposite sides of and welded to an intermediate stop block 98. Both the supporting arms 96 and the stop 98 are welded to the underside of the bottom 64 in line with the latch 70 and with the arms at the sides of the stop. As shown, the stop 98 hangs straight down from the bottom 64 and the supporting arms 96 are inclined downwardly and forwardly so that the end portions of the arms lie forwardly of the stop. The kicker 90 is disposed between the supporting arms 96 ahead of the stop 98 and it rocks freely on a pivot 100 extending between and carried by the arms. In the particular form of the invention here shown, the lower end portion of the latch 70 is formed with a beveled inner edge 102 which faces the kicker 90; and the confronting edge 104 of the kicker above the pivot 100 is correspondingly beveled so that the two edges 102 and 104 are in relatively closely spaced parallel relation when the kicker is in the normal full line position shown in the drawing.

The two stops 92 are keyed on a cross-shaft 106 which is journaled in bearings 108 and 110 carried by structural members 112 and 114 fonning a part of the framework 26. One end of the cross-shaft 106 extends outwardly beyond the bearing 110; and a lever 116 affixed to the projecting end of the shaft is connected to the piston rod 118 of the power cylinder 94 which is attached by a pivot 120 to a supporting bracket 122 on a structural member 124 which also is part of the framework 26. When the piston rod 118 is advanced it rocks the lever 116 forwardly to rotate the stops 92 downwardly out of the path of travel of the kickers 90, and when the piston rod is retracted, it rotates the lever 116 in the opposite direction to raise the stops 92 into the path of travel of the kickers 90.

It is contemplated that the power cylinder 94 be supplied with fluid under pressure from any suitable source according to conventional practice and that flow of fluid to the cylinder can be controlled by a valve in the usual manner. The valve preferably is a conventional solenoid operated type and is inturn controlled by a limit switch mounted alongside the tracks 12 and I4 for operation by the skip car 10 as it approaches the hopper 32. Thus, as the skip car 10 approaches the hopper 32, it operates the limit switch and the power cylinder 94 to retract the piston rod 118 and raise the stops 92 into the path of travel of the kickers 90. As the skip car 10 continues to advance, the kickers 90 engage the stops 92 and are rocked in a clockwise direction and to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 5. This brings the beveled edges 104 of the kickers 90 against the confronting edges 102 of the latches 70 and releases the latches from the bottom 64 as shown also by broken lines in FIG. 5. The bottom 64 then immediately drops open under its own weight and the weight of the load in the skip car 10 and dumps the load into the hopper 32.

It is a special feature of the invention that the heavy bottom 64 is held normally in the closed position not only by the latches 70, but also by a supporting rail 126 disposed between and below the tracks 12 and 14. A roller 128 on the bottom 64 adjacent the swinging edge of the latter rides on the rail 126. The latter extends all the way between the materials storage area 16 and the hopper 32; and the roller 128 rides on the rail as the skip car 10 moves from one area to the other. The height of the rail 126 is such that it acts through the roller 128 to hold the bottom 64 closed at all times and thus compliments the holding action of the latches 70 in maintaining the bottom closed and also in supporting a load in the skip car. At the hopper end, however, the rail 126 is curved downwardly and forwardly into the hopper, as at 130, and the relationship between the downwardly curved rail portion 130 and the stops 92 is such that the roller 128 moves onto the downwardly bent portion of the track at or about the same time that the latches 70 are released from the bottom 64. Thus, the bottom 64 begins to open and to dump the load from the skip car as soon as it is released by the latches 70, but the weight of the door and of the materials discharging from the skip car is constantly supported during the opening movement of the bottom by the rail portion 130. This achieves a smooth gradual unloading of the skip car 10 and prevents the bottom 64 from simply flopping open and slamming against the side of the hopper 32.

The hopper 32 is riveted or welded to the cupula 18 above the opening 25 and is also connected to and rigidly supported by the framework 26. More particularly, the upper portion of the hopper 32 which lies directly below the tracks 12 and 14 is generally rectangular in plan and elongate in the direction of the tracks and has sidewalls 132 and 134, a rear wall 136, and a front wall 138. This open topped, boxlike structure is spaced from the cupula 18, as perhaps best shown in FIG. 6. The two sides 132 and 134 preferably are vertical and parallel, and the rear and front walls 136 and 138 slope downwardly and inwardly to define a loading chute for the hopper. In this connection, it will be observed (FIG. 3) that the rear wall 136 is inclined to a greater extent than the front wall 138 to accommodate the downwardly bent rail portion 130-which extends into the hopper above the wall 136. Thus, as the bottom 64 opens to dump a load from the car 10, the materials of the loadv are confined by the four walls 132, 134, 136 and 138 of the hopper structure hereinabove described and are directed thereby into the lower portion of the hopper.

The lower portion of the hopper 32 hereinabove referred to is mounted directly in front of the cupula opening 25 and is generally rectangular in plan but is elongate in the direction of the cupula 18 having sidewalls 140 and 142 and a bottom wall 144 which slopes from the upper sidewall 134 downwardly and inwardly toward the cupula. The upper portions of the sidewalls 140 and 142 are above the opening 25 and are riveted and welded to the cupula as at 146, and the lower portions of the sidewalls 140 and 142 simply extend downwardly alongside the sides of the opening 25 to confine and direct the charge of materials from the skip car to the opening. The lower portions of the sidewalls 140 and 142 referred to and the inner edges of the bottom 144 are spaced outwardly a short distance from the cupula 18, and the inner edge of the bottom 144 is generally aligned with but spaced slightly above the bottom of the opening 25. Thus, the charge of materials dropping into the lower portion of the hopper 32 falls onto the bottom 144 which together with the sidewalls 140 and 142 define a chute which directs the charge toward the opening 25. The bottom 144 is strengthened and reinforced so that it can withstand the impact of the charge from the skip car 10 without buckling or warping by a plurality of parallel ribs here shown in the form of l-beams 148. The latter are welded or bolted to the bottom 144 and to the structure of the framework 26 as shown in FIG. 7.

According to the present invention, the cupula opening 25 is closed except during delivery of a charge thereto by a door 150 which is mounted at the opening and hingedly attached to the chute bottom 144 at the lower edge of the latter and to the supporting framework 26 (FIG. 6). When the door 150 is positioned to close the opening 25, it is in effect a part of the cupula wall; and to this end the door is a heavy, massive, heat insulating structure having a transversely curved inner surface of the same or substantially the same radius as the cupula so that, in some degree at least, it serves as an extension of the adjacent wall of the cupula. On the other hand, when the door 150 is positioned to open the opening 25, it forms an extension of the lower chute structure of the hopper 32 and assists the latter in conducting and directing the charge of materials through the opening into the cupula. To this end, the back of the door 150 is built up to provide a planar surface and the hinged mounting is such that the rear surface of the open door forms a relatively smooth uninterrupted extension of the hopper chute and so that the door extends into the cupula through the opening 25 to project and distribute the charge properly in a predetermined pattern within the cupula.

More particularly, the door 150 comprises a heavy, rectangular sheet metal panel 152 which is curved transversely on the same radius as the cupula, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and

which is of a size to fit and substantially completely fill the opening 25. In this connection, it is not necessary that the door 150 fit snugly and completely close the opening 25. No significant harm is done by some peripheral clearance all the way around between the door 150 and the opening 25. However, one purpose of the door 150 is to close or substantially close the opening 25 so as to prevent side drafts into the cupula through the opening except during actual charging of the cupula; and the door therefor should fit the opening 25 as closely as possible under the circumstances. lnturned flanges 154 are provided at each of the four edges of the door panel 152, and the entire inner surface of the panel is covered by tightly fitting cast iron blocks 156 which are spaced from the panel by an asbestos layer 158. The blocks 156, of course, face into the cupula 18 when the door 150 is closed, and they provide a heat insulating layer which protects the sheet metal backing panel 152 and the associated door and hopper structure from heat inside the cupula. Behind and preferably of the same size and shape as the door panel 152 is a flat sheet metal backing member 160 having inturned side flanges 162 which extend and are welded to the panel 152 at the side edges of the latter. The back panel 160 also is of substantially the same width as the chute bottom 144 and it forms an extension and continuation of the chute when the door 150 is open. Thus, since the back panel 160 serves as a mounting for the door 150 and also as a chute member over which the charge moves from the hopper 32 into the cupula 18, it should be heavy and rigid and to this end it may be suitably strengthened and reinforced as required. For example, reinforcing ribs may be provided if necessary between the main and back panels 152 and 160 and they preferably are suitably welded to each other and to the main door structure.

Extending transversely across the back panel 160 intermediate the top and bottom edges of the latter is a generally U-shaped hinge mounting plate 164. As perhaps best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the plate 164 fits snugly over the backing member 160 and thus serves to further strengthen and reinforce the latter. Also, the hinge plate 164 is welded solidly to the backing member 160 and preferably also to the main door structure. Spaced hinge barrels 166 on the back of the plate 164 interfit with hinge barrels 168 on the chute bottom 144 at the lower edge of the latter and a hinge pin 170 extends through the interfitting barrels 166 and 168 to pivotally or hingedly connect the door assembly to the hopper 32 and to form a piano hinge structure that effectively closes the joint between the hopper bottom 144 and the door 150. The terminal portions of the hinge pin 170 extend through relatively large reinforcing cones 172 on the sides of the door and are joumaled in bearings 174 mounted on vertical structural members 176 which form a part of the framework 26. These bearings 174, of course, carry the weight of the door and relieve the hinge structure which interconnects the door 150 and the hopper 32 of excessive strain.

One end of the hinge pin extends beyond the adjacent bearing 174, and a lever 178 keyed or otherwise fixed thereto is connected to the piston rod 180 of a power cylinder 182 which is pivoted at 184 to a structural member 186 also forming a part of the framework 26. When the piston rod 180 is extended, as shown in FIG. 7, the door 150 is open (FIG. 11) and positioned in the plane and immediately below the inclined chute bottom 144. Thus, in this position, the door and particularly the flat back panel 160 thereof comprises an extension of the chute bottom 144 into the cupula l8 and thus serves to deliver a charge from the hopper 32 into the interior of the cupula. it will be observed that in this position of the door 150, a portion of the back panel 160 lies flatly against the underside of the chute bottom 144. The manner in which the open door 150 projects into the cupula 18 is a particular advantage in delivering the charge as the lower inner edge of the door can be suitably shaped as required to deliver the charge in a desired pattern onto the top of the heap of materials within the cupula. In practice, different distributions of the charge in the cupula 18 are desirable depending upon the exigencies of the particular situation. For example, it may be desirable to distribute the charge uniformly within the cupula 18 or it may be desirable to accumulate it in a cone at the center of the cupula or in the form of a hollow cone or ring around the center of the cupula. All of these patterns and indeed almost any pattern desired can be achieved by suitably shaping and contouring the inner edge of the door. If desired, the top edge of the opening 25 can, of course, be shaped either directly or by means of a suitable plate affixed to the cupula wall to conform relatively closely to the shaped edge of the door.

In connection with the foregoing, it will be observed that, in the inclined loading position of the open door 150, the curved block lined surface thereof faces downwardly. Consequently, when the piston rod 180 is retracted to rock the lever 178 clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 7, the door 150 is swung also in a clockwise direction to the vertical position shown in H68. 8, 9 and 10. In this position of the door 150, the latter substantially completely fills the opening 25 and the inside thereof conforms to the general contour of the cupula wall with the cast iron insulating blocks 156 substantially in alignment with the insulating bricks or blocks with which the cupula conventionally is lined. Thus, in the closed position the door 150 offers no obstruction to the escapement of exhaust gases and smoke from the cupula l8, and the heat insulating blocks 156 protect the sheet metal rear or outer structure of the door from excessive heat within the cupula which otherwise might warp or distort the metal and they also protect the associated door operating and hopper structures.

In order to close and further confine the opening 25 at the sides thereof and of the hopper chute and to facilitate swinging of the door 150, the latter is equipped with counterweighted sideplates 188. These plates 188 have generally straight bottom edges 190 which are welded or bolted to the sides of the door 150 and, as perhaps best shown in FIG. 7, they extend the full length of the door. Both of the sideplates 188 extend upwardly from the door 150 when the latter is in the inclined position, and the top edges thereof preferably are arcuately curved as at 191. In the particular form of the invention shown the curved top edges of the plates 188 extend substantially to the top of the cupula opening 25 and portions thereof project outwardly of the cupula 18 and rearwardly of the door 150 as at 192 (FIG. 7). These rearward extensions 192 overlap the sides of the hopper chute and thus serve to confine the charge of materials delivered by the hopper as the materials move from the chute bottom 144 onto the inclined door 150. Also, the rearwardly extending portions 152 carry counterweights 194. It will be observed in this connection that a major portion of the door 150 extends inwardly (viz, in the direction of the cupula 18) from the hinge pin 170 and the counterweights 194 serve to counterbalance the weight of the door and to facilitate rotational movement thereof by the power cylinder 182. If necessary or desirable, the sideplates 188 can be suitably strengthened and reinforced as by structural members 196 welded or bolted to the outer sides thereof, In practice, of course, the door 150 normally occupies a vertical position in which it serves the dual function of closing the cupula opening 25 as well as the delivery chute of the hopper 32.

delivery chute at the bottom of the hopper where it is confined and retained by the door 150, Suitable controls operated by the skip car either directly through limit switches or indirectly through time controlled relays, then lower the stops 92 out of the path of travel of the kickers and reverse the power drive for the skip car so that the latter backs off of the hopper 32 as soon as it has emptied its load into the hopper and returns to the materials storage area 16. As the skip car 10 backs off of the hopper 32, the roller 128 on the swinging edge of the car bottom 64 rides up on the track portion 130 to close the bottom; and, as the roller moves onto the main rail portion 126 above the hopper 32, it swings the bottom 64 to the fully closed position to automatically engage the latches 70. At about the time the skip car 10 clears the hopper 32, the power cylinder 182 is operated to swing the door from the vertical to the inclined position. This action opens the delivery chute of the hopper 32 and delivers the charge previously dumped by the skip car 10 into the cupula l8; and the inertia of the charge imparted by the door as it swings into the cupula together with the contoured profile shape of the inner end of the door, distributes the charge properly in the cupula. Almost immediately after delivery of the charge, the power cylinder 182 is again operated preferably automatically to return the door 150 to its normal vertical position.

1 claim:

1. The combination with a cupula having a wall provided with a side opening therein through which metal, lime and coke are charged to said, cupula,

apparatus for charging said cupula comprising a hopper mounted on the side of said cupula, said hopper having a bottom sloping toward and leading to said opening; and a door mounted in said opening pivoted at the edge of said hopper bottom and swingable between a vertical position and an inclined position,

said door in said vertical position being substantially in the plane of said cupula wall, substantially filling said opening, and forming a continuation and a part of said wall for containing the thermal flow of smoke and gasses from the cupula at said opening; and

said door in the inclined position being substantially in the plane of said hopper bottom and forming a continuation and extension thereof in the direction of said cupula and operable to deliver charging materials from said hopper into said cupula.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1:

wherein a portion of said door underlies the bottom of said hopper; and

wherein the leading edge of said door when in the inclined position swings upwardly inside said cupula as the door pivots to the closed position.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 1:

wherein said door extends into said cupula through the side opening of the latter when said door is in the inclined position.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3:

wherein a leading inner edge of said door has a formed profile over which the materials charged to the cupula passes and which distributes and arranges the charged material in a predetermined pattern excessive the cupula.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 1:

wherein the bottom of said hopper is part of a delivery chute through which said materials are discharged from the hopper; and

wherein said door in the vertical position extends upwardly from the edge of said bottom and forms a closure for retaining a charge of said materials in said delivery chute.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 5 including:

sidewalls for said chute,

counterweighted side panels on said door overlapping the sidewalls of said chute and cooperating with said door in forming a closure for said chute; and

power actuator means connected to said door and operative to swing the latter between said vertical and said inclined positions.

. 7. The combination as set forth in claim 5 including:

a heat insulating layer on the side of said door facing said cupula for protecting said door from high stack temperatures and shielding a charge in said chute and associated equipment from excessive heat in said cupula.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 7:

wherein said heat insulating layer consists of cast iron blocks backed up by asbestos materials.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 1 including:

spaced track means extending over said hopper; and

a skip car movable on said track means to a position over said hopper and operable to deliver a load of said charging materials into said hopper from said track means.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 9;

wherein said skip car is a type having a hinged bottom and latch means normally holding said hinged bottom in a horizontal closed position,

wherein said hinged bottom is swingable downwardly to a substantially vertical open position to dump a load from said car into said hopper; and

wherein said apparatushas separate means operable independently of said latch means for holding said hinged bottom closed except when said car is over said hopper.

11. The combination as set forth in claim 10:

wherein said separate means comprises wheels mounted on said hinged bottom adjacent to the swinging edge thereof, and second track means on which said wheels roll during movement of said skip car to and from said hopper.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 11:

wherein the terminal portions of said second track means extend angularly downwardly into said hopper and support the swinging edge of said hinged bottom to control opening movement of the latter during dumping.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 11:

wherein said second track means are disposed between said first mentioned track means; and and wherein the hinged bottom of said skip car swings downwardly between said first mentioned track means to dump a load of cupula charging materials from the skip car into the hopper.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 11 including:

means adjacent to said track means and said hopper engageable with said latch means as the skip car approaches the hopper to release said latch means automatically from said hinged bottom and to render opening of said hinged bottom solely under the control of said second track means.

15. The combination as set forth in claim 12:

wherein the hinged bottom of said skip car is closed automatically by the terminal portions of said second track means as said skip car moves away from said hopper, and wherein said latch means moves simultaneously automatically into engagement with said hinged bottom to hold the latter closed.

16. The combination with a cupula having a wall provided with:

a side charging opening therein,

apparatus for charging said cupula comprising:

a hopper mounted alongside said cupula adapted to hold a charge of materials for said cupula,

said hopper having a delivery chute portion opposite said opening,

a door at said opening, and

a pivot mounting for said door supporting the same for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely and disposed intermediate the ends thereof,

said door being movable on said pivot mounting between vertical and inclined positions,

in its vertical position said door serving the double function of filling and substantially closing said opening and also of closing the delivery chute portion of said hopper; and

in its inclined position said door opening the delivery chute portion of said hopper, projecting into said cupula through said opening, and forming an extension of said chute portion for delivering a charge of materials therefrom into said cupula. 17. The combination as set forth in claim 16:

wherein said door is provided with an outer surface having a cross sectional shape substantially the same as the bottom of the chute portion of said hopper,

the outer surface of said door in the inclined position under lying said delivery chute portion and forming an extension thereof into said cupula,

the inwardly projecting end of said door being contoured to affect the distribution of said materials in said cupula; and

whereby impetus given said materials by pivotal movement of said door from the vertical to the inclined position together with the contoured edge of said door spreads and arranges the charge generally in a predetermined pattern within the cupula.

18. The combination as set forth in claim 16:

wherein said door is provided with a heat insulating inner surface and an outer surface having a cross sectional shape substantially the same as the bottom of the chute portion of said hopper,

the inner surface of said door in the vertical position forming a continuation of the cupula wall, and the outer surface of said door in the inclined position underlying said delivery chute portion and forming an extension thereof into said cupula,

the inwardly projecting end of said door being contoured to affect the distribution of said materials in said cupula; and

whereby impetus given said materials by pivotal movement of said door from the vertical to the inclined position together with the contoured edge of said door spreads and arranges the charge generally in a predetermined pattern within the cupula.

12 2 33 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 576, 319 Dated April 27, 1971 I v Michael Michaels It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent 'are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 60, after "FIG. 2;" delete "ballon".

Column 3, line 23, after "which" (first occurrence) delete "12 which actuates a brake (not shown) for spindle 1" and insert is Column 8, Claim 4, line 59, after "pattern" delete "excessive" and insert in Column 9, Claim 13, line 36, delete "and" (second occurrence).

Column 10, Claim 16, line 17, after "hopper" delete and" and insert Column 10, Claim 17, line 31, after "cupula' delete and" and insert Column 10, Claim 18, line 48, after "cupula" delete and" and insert Signed and sealed this 22nd day of February 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER, JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK L Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. The combination with a cupula having a wall provided with a side opening therein through which metal, lime and coke are charged to said, cupula, apparatus for charging said cupula comprising a hopper mounted on the side of said cupula, said hopper having a bottom sloping toward and leading to said opening; and a door mounted in said opening pivoted at the edge of said hopper bottom and swingable between a vertical position and an inclined position, said door in said vertical position being substantially in the plane of said cupula wall, substantially filling said opening, and forming a continuation and a part of said wall for containing the thermal flow of smoke and gasses from the cupula at said opening; and said door in the inclined position being substantially in the plane of said hopper bottom and forming a continuation and extension thereof in the direction of said cupula and operable to deliver charging materials from said hopper into said cupula.
 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1: wherein a portion of said door underlies the bottom of said hopper; and wherein the leading edge of said door when in the inclined position swings upwardly inside said cupula as the door pivots to the closed position.
 3. The combination as set forth in claim 1: wherein said door extends into said cupula through the side opening of the latter when said door is in the inclined position.
 4. The combination as set forth in claim 3: wherein a leading inner edge of said door has a formed profile over which the materials charged to the cupula passes and which distributes and arranges the charged material in a predetermined pattern excessive the cupula.
 5. The combination as set forth in claim 1: wherein the bottom of said hopper is part of a delivery chute through which said materials are discharged from the hopper; and wherein said door in the vertical position extends upwardly from the edge of said bottom and forms a closure for retaining a charge of said materials in said delivery chute.
 6. The combination as set forth in claim 5 including: sidewalls for said chute, counterweighted side panels on said door overlapping the sidewalls of said chute and cooperating with said door in forming a closure for said chute; and power actuator means connected to said door and operative to swing the latter between said vertical and said inclined positions.
 7. The combination as set forth in claim 5 including: a heat insulating layer on the side of said door facing said cupula for protecting said door from high stack temperatures and shielding a charge in said chute and associated equipment from excessive heat in said cupula.
 8. The combination as set forth in claim 7: wherein said heat insulating layer consists of cast iron blocks backed up by asbestos materials.
 9. The combination as set forth in claim 1 including: spaced track means extending over said hopper; and a skip car movable on said track means to a position over said hopper and operable to deliver a load of said charging materials into said hopper from said track means.
 10. The combination as set forth in claim 9; wherein said skip car is a type having a hinged bottom and latch means normally holding said hinged bottom in a horizontal closed position, wherein said hinged bottom is swingable downwardly to a substantially vertical open position to dump a load from said car into said hopper; and wherein said apparatus has separate means operable independently of said latch means for holding said hinged bottom closed except when said car is over said hopper.
 11. The combination as set forth in claim 10: wherein said separate means comprises wheels mounted on said hinged bottom adjacent to the swinging edge thereof, and second track means on which said wheels roll during movement of said skip car to and from said hopper.
 12. The combination as set forth in claim 11: wherein the terminal portions of said second track means extend angularly downwardly into said hopper and support the swinging edge of said hinged bottom to control opening movement of the latter during dumping.
 13. The combination as set forth in claim 11: wherein said second track means are disposed between said first mentioned track means; and and wherein the hinged bottom of said skip car swings downwardly between said first mentioned track means to dump a load of cupula charging materials from the skip car into the hopper.
 14. The combination as set forth in claim 11 including: means adjacent to said track means and said hopper engageable with said latch means as the skip car approaches the hopper to release said latch means automatically from said hinged bottom and to render opening of said hinged bottom solely under the control of said second track means.
 15. The combination as set forth in claim 12: wherein the hinged bottom of said skip car is closed automatically by the terminal portions of said second track means as said skip car moves away from said hopper, and wherein said latch means moves simultaneously automatically into engagement with said hinged bottom to hold the latter closed.
 16. The combination with a cupula having a wall provided with: a side charging opening therein, apparatus for charging said cupula comprising: a hopper mounted alongside said cupula adapted to hold a charge of materials for said cupula, said hopper having a delivery chute portion opposite said opening, a door at said opening, and a pivot mounting for said door supporting the same for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely and disposed intermediate the ends thereof, said door being movable on said pivot mounting between vertical and inclined positions, in its vertical position said door serving the double function of filling and substantially closing said opening and also of closing the delivery chute portion of said hopper; and in its inclined position said door opening the delivery chute portion of said hopper, projecting into said cupula through said opening, and forming an extension of said chute portion for delivering a charge of materials therefrom into said cupula.
 17. The combination as set forth in claim 16: wherein said door is provided with an outer surface having a cross sectional shape substantially the same as the bottom of the chute portion of said hopper, the outer surface of said door in the inclined position underlying said delivery chute portion and forming an extension thereof into said cupula, the inwardly projecting end of said door being contoured to affect the distribution of said materials in said cupula; and whereby impetus given said materials by pivotal movement of said door from the vertical to the inclined position together with the contoured edge of said door spreads and arranges the charge generally in a predetermined pattern within the cupula.
 18. The combination as set forth in claim 16: wherein said door is provided with a heat insulating inner surface and an outer surface having a cross sectional shape substantially the same as the bottom of the chute portion of said hopper, the inner surface of said door in the vertical position forming a continuation of the cupula wall, and the outer surface of said door in the inclined position underlying said delivery chute portion and forming an extension thereof into said cupula, the inwardly projecting end of said door being contoured to affect the distribution of said materials in said cupula; and whereby impetus given said materials by pivotal movement of said door from the vertical to the inclined position together with the contoured edge of said door spreads and arranges the charge generally in a predeTermined pattern within the cupula. 